‘Lounge-core’ band births album

Though parts of the Athens music scene can be described as stagnant at best, Atlanta prog-rockers ODIST are breaking this mold with a little elbow grease, a philosophy and a whole lot of energy.

Described by fans as lounge-core, heavy-jazz, or just “creepy,” the three-piece band consisting of bassist Jason Craig, drummer Sarah Wilson and guitarist Parker Newell will take the stage tonight at Tasty World.

Having toured straight across the country,  ODIST’s unique blend of instrumental, melodic rock is best exemplified by their live performances.

“We’re loud as [hell], with incredible amounts of energy,” Newell said. “It is epicness.”

The new album, titled “On the 49th Day,” combines ancient Tibetan beliefs, human biology, reincarnation and even a dash of Christ.

“The whole album is basically about birth and rebirth,” Newell said. “The Tibetans believe that once a person dies, the soul wanders around for 49 days, and on the 49th day the soul enters a body.”

They also trace the name back to biology and human gestation.

“The very interesting thing about this is if you look at human biology, with the fetus on the 49th day inside the womb it starts to develop its sex organs and it starts developing a heart beat,” Newell said. “It’s just really interesting how all three things wind up on the 49th day.”

The concept of the album summarizes the accomplishments of the band thus far, both individually and as a group using the metaphor of development and growth.

“We’re viewing this album like our birth,” Newell said. “We’ve been playing music for about two-and-a-half years now, and really that was kind of our gestation period, our time in the womb. And now, you know, we’re starting to walk and stuff.”

Still unsigned, but holding a headstrong “DIY” band model, ODIST has worked exceedingly hard for the album to even exist, all on their own merit.

“We press all of our CDs, have our own photographer and graphic designer,” Wilson said. “We put a whole team together.”

With a fresh attitude and a lot of heart, ODIST is intent on making its presence known in Athens.

“I think this music that we create is just an expression, you know,” Newell said. “It’s about freedom to do the music we want to make, and it’s really rewarding and a lot of hard work, but it pays off in the end.”

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